Giffords, Kelly Post Strong Fundraising Totals in Arizona

Arizona Republican Jesse Kelly raised $535,000 from July through September, according to a campaign spokesman. Kelly is challenging Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), whose campaign announced raising more than $700,000 in the three-month fundraising quarter.

The third quarter ended Sept. 30, and fundraising reports are due to be filed at the Federal Election Commission on Oct. 15.

After Kelly ran through much of his campaign cash in the competitive Aug. 24 primary, the funds have allowed him to go on the air with three TV ads against Giffords in the Tucson-based 8th district. The last two were aimed directly at Giffords’ record in Congress and the hot-button border security issue.

Giffords has targeted Kelly’s views on Social Security and taxes, portraying him as one of many “extreme” Republicans running for Congress this cycle.

Giffords, lacking a primary challenge, had nearly $2 million in the bank as of the Aug. 4 pre-primary filing deadline. Since then, she has raised about $610,000. Kelly, who defeated establishment candidate Jonathan Paton in the primary, had just $79,000 in the bank as of Aug. 4. Since then he has raised about $456,000.